Skansen – the world's oldest open-air museum

In the heart of Djurgården lies Skansen – a place where nature and culture come to life, connecting past, present, and future.

Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, founded in 1891 by linguist, teacher, and folk educator Artur Hazelius. His motto was “know yourself” – a belief that by understanding our history, we can better understand who we are today.

With this vision in mind, Hazelius created Skansen – a place where buildings, plants, and animals from all over Sweden were gathered to show how people lived and worked in different parts of the country.

A living open-air museum

Hazelius acquired land on Skansenberget and immediately began relocating houses from across Sweden. At first, the houses were filled with dolls dressed in traditional costumes, but soon they were replaced by real people demonstrating spinning, weaving, and other crafts. Hazelius wanted Skansen to be just that: a living museum. And to this day, that is what continues to make Skansen unique.

The arrival of the animals

Naturally, there had to be animals. Domestic animals were an essential part of farm life, and the wild Nordic animals that roamed the forests and mountains were just as important. Hazelius even received several animals as gifts – including some exotic species. They didn’t quite fit the picture of a miniature Sweden, but Hazelius knew visitors would be fascinated by them, so he let them stay.

Growing and renewing

Over the years, Skansen has grown and evolved, while staying true to Hazelius’ vision. Today Skansen is open all year round and offers everything from music and dance to crafts, gardens, and historic houses – always with the goal of bringing history to life and letting every visitor experience it with all their senses.
Skansen Through the Years

1833 – Artur Hazelius, the founder of Skansen, is born on 30 November.

1872 – Artur Hazelius undertakes a collecting expedition to Dalarna. His aim is to preserve objects, stories and traditions from a society undergoing rapid change as a result of industrialisation.

1880 – Hazelius establishes the foundation that will become the Nordic Museum.

1885 – The Mora Farmstead is acquired. It becomes the first building in what will later become Skansen.

1891 – Skansen is inaugurated by Artur Hazelius on 11 October.

1892 – Skansen expands considerably with the addition of the land surrounding Bredablick. Bollnäs Cottage is also moved to Skansen.

1892 – Walpurgis Night is celebrated at Skansen for the first time.

1895 – The tradition of reciting the poem Ring Out, Wild Bells on New Year’s Eve at Skansen begins.

1897 – Skansen’s funicular railway is built for the Stockholm General Art and Industrial Exposition.

1901 – The former Stockholm Tivoli is incorporated into Skansen. Part of the amusement park lives on as Galejan.

1901 – Artur Hazelius is buried at Skansen following his death on 27 May.

1903 – Skansen’s Christmas market is held for the first time.

1911 – Skansen’s open-air theatre is inaugurated with a performance of Värmlänningarna. That year, the zoo is home to a record 261 species of mammals and birds.

1918 – The first European bison calf is born at Skansen. Skansen’s European bison later play an important role in efforts to save the species. In 1929, two bison born at Skansen are sent to Białowieża in Poland to help re-establish a viable population.

1918 – Seglora Church is inaugurated at Skansen.

1931 – Skogaholm Manor is inaugurated at Skansen.

1937 – Galejan’s dance pavilion is built and becomes a popular meeting place.

1955 – Lill-Skansen opens as a dedicated children’s zoo.

1963 – Skansen becomes organisationally independent from the Nordic Museum and is established as the independent Skansen Foundation.

1978 – Skansen Aquarium opens.

1997 – Two period allotment gardens are moved from Tantolunden to Skansen.

1998 – Bear Mountain reopens following extensive redevelopment and expansion.

2012 – A new, year-round Lill-Skansen – the Children’s Zoo – is inaugurated.

2020 – Skansen closes temporarily because of the COVID-19 pandemic – the first closure since it opened in 1891.

2022 – The Skansen Foundation is granted a 90 Account and becomes a member of Giva Sverige, the Swedish Fundraising Association.

2026 – Skansen celebrates its 135th anniversary.

Skansen – the world's oldest open-air museum

A living open-air museum

The arrival of the animals

Growing and renewing

Skansen Through the Years